Jollyville Plateau Salamander

Taxobox
name = Jollyville Plateau Salamander


status = EN | status_system = IUCN3.1
regnum = Animalia
phylum = Chordata
classis = Amphibia
ordo = Caudata
familia = Plethodontidae
genus = "Eurycea"
species = "E. tonkawae"
binomial = "Eurycea tonkawae"
binomial_authority = Chippindale, Price, Wiens & Hillis, 2000
synonyms = The Jollyville Plateau Salamander ("Eurycea tonkawae") is a species of salamander in the Plethodontidae family.It is endemic to Travis and Williamson counties, Texas, United States. This species is perrenibranchiate, retaining its gills throughout life.

"Eurycea tonkawae" is the sister taxon to "E. naufragia" and "E. chisolmensis", two other endemic perrenibranchiate central Texas salamanders.

Its natural habitats are freshwater springs, spring runs, and wet caves of the Buttercup karst system. Cave dwelling "E. tonkawae" may represent a distinct species, however further work is needed to clarify their taxonomic status.

"Eurycea tonkawae" is threatened by habitat loss and habitat degradation due to rapid urban growth.

References

* (1993): A new species of perennibranchiate salamander ("Eurycea", Plethodontidae) from Austin, Texas. "Herpetologica" 49: 242-259.
* (2000): Phylogenetic relationships of central Texas hemidactyliine plethodontid salamanders, genus "Eurycea", and a taxonomic revision of the group. "Herpetological Monographs" 14: 1-80.
* (2001): A new species of subterranean blind salamander (Plethodontidae: Hemidactyliini: "Eurycea": "Typhlomolge") from Austin, Texas, and a systematic revision of central Texas paedomorphic salamanders. "Herpetologica" 57: 266-280.
* Hammerson, G. & Chippindale, P. 2004. [http://www.iucnredlist.org/search/details.php/59275/all Eurycea tonkawae] . [http://www.iucnredlist.org 2006 IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. ] Downloaded on 23 July 2007.